International Roma Day in the European Parliament
8 April 2008, Brussels

On April 8th, about hundred participants representing EU institutions and European civil society  attended a conference in the European Parliament dedicated to the International Roma Day. The event was organized by the European Roma Information Office (ERIO) with the support of Ms. Katalin Levai, Member of the European Parliament.

The conference aimed to bring together EU officials, Roma people and civil society organizations  on the occasion of April 8th, the international Roma day, to discuss and exchange views about Roma's integration  and the future challenges for the improvement of their human rights situation and social inclusion.

Commissioner Vladimir Spidla, head of the Directorate for Employment and Social Affairs, said in his key-note speech: "The Roma issue is more and more recognized. Poverty among Roma is deeper than other communities, they should be given better educational and employment opportunities to brake this vicious circle. Social cohesion is necessary for the democracy. April 8th is a symbol of hope ".

Mr. Ivanov Ivanov, the Executive Director of the European Roma Information Office stated "The idea of human rights is not about certain groups, it is about the treatment of individuals. It is increasingly recognized that the situation of the Roma is among the primary human rights issues in Europe, because although human rights are universal, human rights abuses frequently fall disproportionately against certain groups. In the last decade in Europe the exposure to human rights abuse to which Roma are subjected is alarming."

Other speakers like Ms. Belinda Pyke from DG Employment and Social Affairs of the European Commission, Ms. Livia Jaroka, Member of the European Parliament, Mr. Alekos Tsolakis from the European Economic and Social Committee, Claude Moraes Member of the European Parliament and Ms. Soraya Post, Chair of the International Roma Women Network, highlighted the importance of the latest developments at EU level concerning Roma and that it is high time to translate policies into real action.

All participants enjoyed drinks and Roma music after the panel discussions.